Both in indigenous manufacturing and 3D printing, production is – to a large extent – directly linked with consumption.

Planet section

PLANET

Manufacturing of footwear—supply of raw materials, assembly of different components, use of chemicals, disposal of waste—is a polluting industry. In ‘Future Footwear’, cross-fertilization between indigenous skill and crafts and high-tech open-source 3D-technology opens new perspectives for sustainable footwear design and production.

X-indigenous

Future Footwear project ‘X-indigenous’ aims to develop new models in collaboration with artisans, using traditional techniques, local materials, and lasts (like the blue one shown) that according to our biomechanical analyses reflect barefoot gait better than traditional lasts. The X-indigenous models are hand-stitched and no synthetic glues and toxic materials are used.

3-D print

In Future Footwear project ‘3D Print’ we transform indigenous footwear by combining artisan traditions with new technology. Selective laser sintering (SLS) is an additive manufacturing technique that uses a laser to sinter powered materials. Much like indigenous production, 3D printing minimizes the amount of waste generated and tools and manpower needed.

Hybrid Project

Future Footwear project ‘Hybrid’ aims to recreate the indigenous footwear in two small-scale factories near Porto, Portugal. The production is semi-industrial but still hand-cut. The factories focus on environmental friendly ways of construction and handling of materials